Warsaw councilor from Law and Justice, Wojciech Zabłocki, found out how much the trees from the German nursery that will be planted in the so-called Central Square cost. And the capital's officials explain why they couldn't be bought in Poland.
At the end of October last year The Municipal Roads Authority informed about the visit of its employees to a tree and shrub nursery in Brandenburg, Germany. They went there to select specific specimens that would be planted on the so-called Central Square, i.e. part of Defilad Square in front of the main entrance to the Palace of Culture and Science. “The selection of specific trees in the nursery is a key moment that allows us to guarantee that each of them will be healthy and adapted to new conditions,” ZDM informed then. He also assured that all trees that will be placed in the square have been carefully selected for their resistance to urban conditions.
Outrage on the right
Choosing greenery is one of many stages of work in this type of investment. Therefore, the information about the visit to the tree and shrub nursery went almost unnoticed. Only the media associated with the right side of the political scene picked it up. The Warsaw authorities were criticized for importing trees from their neighbors instead of buying them from a Polish nursery. There were also allegations of mismanagement.
PiS politicians also began to pursue the topic. In an interpellation, Warsaw councilor Wojciech ZabÅ‚ocki expressed his lack of understanding of the idea of ​​transporting trees from Germany. “It is nearly 600 kilometers from the center of Warsaw to Brandenburg. Logistically, the operation of transporting a hundred trees from such a distance will be very expensive and will leave a significant carbon footprint,” the councilor wrote. He also asked about the cost of transporting the trees and how many cars it would take.
In response to the interpellation, city secretary Maciej FijaÅ‚kowski wrote that the councilor made a mistake. “The nature of the letter clearly indicates that the legal basis for this type of request should be a request for public information specified in the relevant statutory provisions,” we read in the response of November 18, 2024.
Officials report how much they spent
Almost two months have passed. On Wednesday evening, councilor Zabłocki announced on the X platform that he had obtained information on the cost of the trees that will be planted in the central square. He also pointed out that no data on transport costs was provided in the response from ZDM.
The data presented by the councilor is incomplete because some of the planned trees have not yet been finally purchased. In a letter to the ZDM councilor, he informed that 102 trees would be planted in the square: eight “Raywood” ash trees at PLN 21,285.65 each, eight bird cherry trees at PLN 12,163.80 each, three multi-stem locust trees at PLN 17,232.05 each. one piece, four single-stemmed ginkgo trees for PLN 21,285.65 each, seven single-stem edible dogwoods PLN 19,259.35 each, four multi-stem Japanese grout trees PLN 8,109.20 each, three single-stem Japanese grout trees PLN 16,208.40 each, eight Norway maples PLN 16,208.40 each, 11 Japanese magnolias PLN 14,191 each, PLN 10 This gives a total amount of approximately PLN 900,000. You will also need to add the cost of the remaining trees: 11 single-stem elms, 14 single-stem elms, two multi-stem elms, four multi-stem ginkgo trees, four multi-stem edible dogwoods and one oak.
“It was planned to plant 10 more larch trees, but arrangements are currently being made as to what species will be planted instead,” ZDM noted.
ZDM has selected the trees that will appear on Central Square
Source: ZDM
Source: ZDM
Source: ZDM
Source: ZDM
Road workers “interested in the end result”
We asked the Municipal Roads Authority why the decision was made to import trees from Germany and whether they could not have been bought cheaper in Poland.
– The contractor selected in the tender for the reconstruction of Central Square, among all the works that must be performed, also includes a part related to greenery. We, as the ordering party, are interested in the final effect, which we specify in the order very precisely, including the species, appearance and method of planting the 102 trees that will be on the square. The contractor is looking for a way to meet the high requirements of Warsaw and at the same time do it in the most economical way. If he were able to find a cheaper solution in Poland, he would find it – replied Jakub Dybalski from ZDM.
A representative of road builders pointed out that in the times of the Polish People's Republic there were few nurseries in our country. – Those that were built later do not yet have impressive trees or offer a maximum of a dozen or so trees with a similar cross-section. If it were otherwise, the builders of the square would not have transported them from the Netherlands or Germany, because it would not make sense for them, Dybalski emphasized.
– The nursery industry requires time and experience. For investments such as Plac Centralny, or previously Plac Trzech Krzyży, we require trees with parameters that can be achieved by nursery, sometimes for over 30 years, which means, among other things, replanting several times for proper root growth and managing the tree in a way that is adapted to the species and its biological characteristics – explained the spokesman of the capital's ZDM.
Finally, he added that the contractor of the Central Square is not only obliged to deliver and plant the trees, but also to take care of them for five years, including replacing them if something happens to the tree during this time.
Delayed construction of Central Square
The construction of Central Square began in June 2023. According to the first assumptions, the works were to last a year and be completed in July 2024, while residents were to enjoy the new space from September. The deadline has been postponed to spring 2025. It was extended by archaeological works and the fact that part of the square was annexed for the construction of the Museum of Modern Art.
Plac Centralny is (for now) the informal name of the central part of Plac Defilad, in the axis of ZÅ‚ota Street. There will be less concrete and asphalt on it. They will be replaced by over 100 new trees, and there will also be lawns and a pond. The irregular arrangement of sidewalks reproduces the grid of ancient streets and the outline of buildings. This is a nod to history – after World War II, the Art Nouveau tenement houses and their remains were demolished to make way for the Palace of Culture and Science.
Visualizations of Central Square
Source: City Hall of Warsaw
Source: City Hall of Warsaw
Source: City Hall of Warsaw
Source: City Hall of Warsaw
Author: dg/b
Source: tvnwarszawa.pl
Main photo source: UM Warsaw